Training Chopsticks

ABSTRACT

Training chopsticks including an upper chopstick having a forward end, a rearward end, an upper side, a lower side, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side; a lower chopstick having a forward end, a rearward end, an upper side, a lower side, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side; a first finger loop extending upwardly from the upper chopstick; a second finger loop extending downwardly from the upper chopstick; a third finger loop extending downwardly from the lower chopstick; a first slot attaching the first finger loop to the upper chopstick; a second slot attaching the second finger loop to the upper chopstick, the second mounting means positioning the second finger loop forwardly from the first finger loop; and a third slot attaching the third finger loop to the lower chopstick.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to chopsticks. More particularly, this invention relates to chopsticks which incorporate specialized features and attachments adapted for training novice chopstick users in the proper handling and use of chopsticks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Where a pair of chopsticks is properly manually held for food handling use, a base or rearward end of a lower chopstick among the pair of chopsticks is situated at the purlicue or curved transition between the thumb of the user's hand and such hand's index finger. During such chopsticks holding, the medial aspect of the proximal end of the thumb commonly compressively holds the lower chopstick's base end against either the lateral aspect of the extreme proximal end of the index finger or the lateral aspect of the hand's palm near the index finger's first joint. Such mode of grasping compressively holds the lower chopstick via frictional contacts with the base or rearward ends of such chopstick's lateral and oppositely lateral sides.

Upon such proper holding of the chopsticks, the medial aspect of the distal end of the user's thumb commonly contacts and presses against the lateral side of the upper chopstick, while the chopstick's oppositely lateral side contacts and presses against the palmar aspect of the index finger at a location between such finger's proximal and distal ends.

During such proper chopsticks holding, the distal end of the index finger contacts and presses against the upper side of the upper chopstick while the lower side of such chopstick contacts and is supported by the lateral aspect of such hand's middle or third finger. Accordingly, upon proper chopsticks holding, the upper chopstick is dually held at forward and rearward holding points, the forward holding point being between the distal end of the index finger and the middle finger, and the rearward holding point being between the distal end of the thumb and the index finger.

Also, upon such proper chopsticks holding, a dorsal and lateral aspect of the distal end of the hand's ring finger or fourth finger upwardly contacts the lower surface of the lower chopstick while the thumb presses or biases the forward extension of the lower chopstick downwardly against such fourth finger. Similarly with the above described dual holds applied to the upper chopstick, the lower chopstick is dually held at front and rear positions, the lower chopstick's front holding position being at the distal end of the hand's ring finger and the lower chopstick's rear holding position being at the above described thumb and index finger transition holding point.

Such proper chopstick holding is typically learned only through training and practice. The instant inventive training chopsticks aid in such training and practice by providing a specialized series of elastic loops and loop mounting structures which are adapted to hold the chopsticks at proper finger contact points and positions during training use and practice.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first structural component of the instant inventive training chopsticks comprises an upper chopstick having a forward end, a rearward end, an upper side, a lower side, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side. The training chopsticks further include a lower chopstick which similarly has a forward end, a rearward end, an upper side, a lower side, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower chopstick components have substantially square cross-sectional shapes, their front or forward ends preferably being substantially narrower than their rearward base ends.

Further structural components of the instant inventive training chopsticks comprise first, second, and third finger elastic finger loops. In a suitable embodiment, the elastic finger loop components are composed of natural rubber, and are sized to securely receive and simultaneously compressively encircle one of the chopsticks and an extended finger placed in contact with the chopstick. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic loops are composed of synthetic rubber to allow the loops to be plastically deformed by stretching to accommodate both large and small finger sizes.

Further structural components of the instant inventive training chopsticks comprise first, second, and third loop mounting means. Such mounting means components are preferably adapted to respectively attach the first, second, and third finger loops at ergonomically appropriate locations upon the chopsticks. In a preferred embodiment, the first mounting means comprise a first protuberance and slot combination whose protuberance component comprises a wholly formed downward extension of the lower side of the upper chopstick. Such combinations' slot component preferably extends upwardly into such protuberance and opens downwardly therefrom.

The inventive chopsticks' second mounting means component suitably structurally mirrors the first mounting means, the second mounting means' protuberance extending upwardly and including a second slot which opens upwardly. The second mounting means are necessarily positioned along the upper chopstick forwardly from the first mounting means.

In a suitable embodiment, the third mounting means are configured similarly with the second mounting means, the third mounting means' protuberance being wholly formed with and extending upwardly from the upper side of the lower chopstick. Similarly with the second mounting means' slot, the third mounting means' slot opens upwardly.

In assembly of the instant inventive training chopsticks, the first elastic finger loop is received within the first mounting means' slot, such first loop preferably extending upwardly therefrom to encircle the upper chopstick. The second elastic finger loop is received within the second mounting means' downwardly opening slot, such second loop oppositely extending downwardly and similarly encircling the upper chopstick. The third elastic finger loop is preferably received within the third mounting means' upwardly opening slot, such loop extending downwardly and encircling the lower chopstick.

The inventive chopsticks' first, second, and third mounting means may suitably alternatively comprise at least first hooks, and preferably laterally paired hooks. In the preferred alternative embodiment, the laterally paired hooks comprise band retaining pins or lugs which are fixedly mounted to or wholly formed with the upper and lower chopsticks. Such band retaining hooks are preferably positioned upon the upper and lower chopsticks at the above-described positions of the first, second, and third protuberance and slot combination configured mounting means. The hooks or pins of such alternatively configured loop mounting means preferably extend in the same direction as the openings of the slots they functionally replace. Where hook or pin configured mounting means are alternatively provided, the elastic finger loops may alternatively be configured as a doubled elastic bands which presents a pair of 180° bends, such bends being capable of securely engaging a lateral pair of the alternatively provided hooks. Alternatively, the loop components which engage the pin configured mounting means may comprise single strand elastic bands having a pin receiving eye at both ends.

In use of the instant inventive training chopsticks, a user may extend their index finger through the first loop while extending the middle and ring fingers respectively through the second and third finger loops. Such finger extensions through the inventive training chopsticks' finger loops advantageously assist the user in learning proper placements and positions of fingers while wielding chopsticks for food handling.

An advantage of the instant inventive training chopsticks is their ability to facilitate progressive training of chopsticks use and handling. For example, many novice users may find that proper positioning of their index or second finger is most easily learned. Such user may also find that proper positioning of their ring finger or fourth finger is learned with greater difficulty than the proper positioning of other fingers. Upon proper training of index finger positioning, the novice user may simply omit the first elastic loop. Thereafter, and progressively, the user may omit the second elastic loop. During final training, the novice user may retain and use only the third elastic loop to hold and guide the user's ring finger in proper contact with the undersurface of the lower chopstick.

Accordingly, objects of the instant invention include the provision of training chopsticks which incorporate structures as described above and which arranges those structures in relation to each other in the manners described above, for the achievement of beneficial functions, as described above.

Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the instant invention will become known to those skilled in the art upon review of the Detailed Description which follows, and upon review of the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of upper and lower chopstick components of the instant inventive training chopsticks.

FIG. 2 if a magnified partial view, as indicated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is an alternative magnified partial view, as indicated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 presents an alternative perspective view of the structure of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 presents a portion of the upper chopstick of FIG. 1 , the view alternatively showing the chopstick rotated 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis.

FIG. 6 redepicts the structure of FIG. 1 , the view of FIG. 6 additionally showing installed elastic loops.

FIG. 7 redepicts the structure of FIG. 2 , the view of FIG. 7 additionally showing an installed elastic loop.

FIG. 8 redepicts rearward portions of the structure of FIG. 6 , the view additionally showing fingers of a user's hand in engagement with elastic loop components.

FIG. 9 presents an alternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 10 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 11 redepicts the structure of FIG. 10 , the view of FIG. 11 showing an installed elastic loop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular drawing FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of an upper chopstick component of the instant inventive training chopsticks is referred to generally by Reference Arrow 2. Such upper chopstick 2 has a relatively narrow front end 4, a relatively wide or thick rearward end 6, and an upper side 8. Referring further simultaneously to FIG. 5 , the upper chopstick 2 has a lower side 9, a lateral side 10, and an oppositely lateral side 13.

The upper chopstick 2 presents or includes first mounting means, a suitable embodiment of which is referred to generally by Reference Arrow 11. In such first mounting means embodiment, a protuberance and slot combination is presented, such combination comprising a downward protuberance component 12 and a slot component 14. In such depicted embodiment, the combination's slot component 14 extends upwardly into and opens downwardly at the protuberance component 12. Such slot component 14 suitably has a “C” channel configuration including an enlarged channel portion 14 and a relatively narrow throat opening 15.

A second mounting means component identified by Reference Arrow 17 is provided, such means suitably comprising a second protuberance and slot combination whose protuberance 16 oppositely extends upwardly from the upper side 8 of the upper chopstick 2. Like slot 14, such second combination's slot is suitably configured as a “C” channel 18 having a narrowed and upwardly opening throat 19.

A lower chopstick component of the instant inventive training chopsticks is referred to generally by Reference Arrow 20, such lower chopstick having a narrow front end 22, a relatively wide rear end 24, and an upper side 26. Referring further simultaneously to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the lower chopstick 20 has a lower side opposite the upper side 26, a lateral side 28, and an oppositely lateral side 29.

Third mounting means referred to generally by Reference Arrow 31 are provided, such third mounting means suitably being configured similarly with the first and second mounting means 11 and 17. The third mounting means 31 are suitably configured as a third protuberance and slot combination whose components include an upwardly extending protuberance 30 and an upwardly opening slot 32. Like slots 14 and 18, the third mounting means' upwardly opening slot 32 is suitably “C” channel configured, having a narrow upwardly opening throat 33.

To facilitate selective variability of positioning of a third finger loop component, as described below, the third mounting means 31 suitably further comprise a plurality of second slots 34 and 36, each of such second slots suitably being “C” channel configured and having upwardly opening throats 35 and 37.

Each of the slot components 14, 18, 32, 34, and 36 of the chopsticks' first, second, and third mounting means 11, 17, and 31 preferably has laterally paired openings positioned at the chopsticks' lateral and oppositely lateral sides. Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 , the lateral openings of the lower chopstick's slots 32, 34, and 36 are positioned forwardly with respect to such slots' corresponding oppositely lateral openings. Such forward displacements of lateral slot openings beneficially angularly skew such slots and their oriented openings 33, 35 and 37.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1 and 5 , the lateral opening of slot 14, i.e., the slot opening at the lateral side 10 of the upper chopstick 2, may be advantageously similarly forwardly displaced with respect to such slots' oppositely lateral opening at the oppositely lateral chopstick side 13. Such relative positioning of the lateral opening of slot 14 may similarly beneficially skew such slot's enlarged channel and slot opening 15. The functions of the above-described angular skewing of slots 14, 32, 34, and 36 are described below.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the instant inventive training chopsticks may be fully assembled upon provision of a plurality of elastic loops, such as a first elastic band 40, a second elastic band 42, and third elastic band 44. Elastic band 40 is received within slot 14, such slot 14 orienting and holding band 40 so that it extends upwardly and encircles the upper chopstick 2. The downwardly opening throat 15 of slot 14 is suitably sized in relation to the cross-sectional dimensions of the elastic band 40 so that such band must slightly elastically deform upon being pressed into or pulled through the throat 15. Upon entry of the band 40 into the overlying and relatively large circular channel of slot 14, the band 40 may elastically return to its original cross-sectional dimensions. Accordingly, the throat component 15 of slot 14 may advantageously function as a releasable fastener in relation to elastic band 40. Where the slot components 14, 18, 32, 34, and 36 of the first, second and third loop mounting means adopt such “C” channel configuration, the throat portions of such slots, 15, 19, 33, 35, and 37 may advantageously function as releasable band fasteners.

An alternative slot configuration is presented in FIG. 9 . In FIG. 9 all structures identified by a reference numeral having a suffix “A” are configured similarly with similarly numbered structures appearing in FIGS. 1-8 . In order to facilitate “clam shell” injection molding via paired upper and lower mold halves, each of slots 14, 18, 32, 34, and 36 as a “V” valley 50. In such “V” configuration of the slots, the floors or vertexes 52 of the slots may be sized to compressively and releasably hold an inserted elastic band.

The alternative “C” channel configured slots of FIGS. 1-7 , while potentially interfering with molding via upper and lower mold halves, advantageously present enlarged channels which allow relatively free lateral sliding and adjustments of bands which are releasably received within the slots. For example, referring to FIG. 7 , while the second band 42 resides within the lower enlarged channel portion of slot 18, band 42 is free to slidably move circumferentially within the channel without binding. To facilitate proper finger contacts and positioning, the second band 42 and its second mounting means 17 are necessarily positioned forwardly from band 40.

The third elastic band 44 may be received either within slot 32 or, alternatively, received within either of a plurality of second slots 34 and 36. The third band 44 extends downwardly and encircles the lower chopstick 20.

In use of the instant inventive training chopsticks, referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1-8 , the base or rearward end 24 of the lower chopstick 20 may be positioned at the cleft or purlicue 53 between a user's thumb 52 and index or second finger 54. Thereafter, the user may extend the distal end of their fourth finger or ring finger 58 through the third finger loop 44. To comfortably position the lower chopstick 20 in relation to the upper chopstick 2, the third finger loop 44 may be selectively inserted into the slot 32, as depicted, or alternatively into either of a plurality of second slots 34 and 36 which are formed within protuberance 30.

As indicated above, the lateral openings of slots 32, 34, and 36 are advantageously skewed or angled forwardly in relation to such slots' oppositely lateral openings. Such angular skewing of slots operatively twists the upper end of finger loop 44, such twist advantageously driving the base or rear end 24 of the lower chopstick laterally against the medial aspect of the proximal end of the user's thumb 52. Accordingly, the twist imposed by slot 32 upon band 44 helps to hold such base end 24 of chopstick 20 in proper compressive contact with the medial aspect of thumb 52.

As indicated above, the upper chopstick's slot 14 may similarly be advantageously angularly skewed. As shown in FIG. 8 , the angular twist applied by Slot 14 upon the first band 40 tends to rotate and drive the base end 6 of the upper chopstick 2 in the opposite angular direction. Accordingly, the angular twist applied by the skewed slot 14 to band 40 drives such chopstick base end 6 against the lateral aspect of the user's index or first finger 54, advantageously further assisting in proper holding and positioning of the chopstick.

Immediately after the user grasps the lower chopstick 20 in the manner described above, with ring finger 58 extended through band 44, the user may extend the distal ends of their index and middle fingers 54 and 56 respectively through the first and second finger loops 40 and 42, as indicated in FIG. 8 . Upon such loop and finger engagements, finger loop 40 holds the distal end of the index or second finger against the upper side 8 of the upper chopstick 2, while the second finger loop 42 holds the distal end of the third or middle finger against the lower side 9 of the upper chopstick 2. The underlying third finger loop 44 simultaneously holds the distal end of the user's fourth or ring finger against the lower side of the lower chopstick 20.

During food handling manipulation of the instant inventive chopsticks, proper index and middle finger contacts with the upper chopstick 2 are aided by those fingers' attachments via loops 40 and 42. The third finger loop 44 assists in directing the thumb's downward biasing action against the lower chopstick 20 by assuring that such force is properly met by the distal end of the user's ring finger 58.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 , all structures identified by a reference numeral having a suffix “B” are configured substantially identically with similarly numbered structures appearing in FIGS. 1-9 . In the alternative configuration of FIG. 10 , the invention's elastic loop mounting means comprise at least first hooks, pins, or lugs, such as pin 60. Such pins are preferably presented in lateral pairs, such as pins 60 and 62, and they are preferably mounted within recess channels 61 and 63 formed within protuberances such as protuberance 16B. Elastic bands such as bands 40, 42, and 44 may, upon doubling, engage and be held by such pin configured loop mounting means. As indicated in FIG. 11 , a larger circumference band 70 may be provided to facilitate band doubling for two ended pin engagements. The various depicted in FIGS. 1-8 , FIG. 9 , and FIGS. 10 and 11 are intended as being representative of other commonly known means for attaching and holding elastic bands to stick or shaft structures.

Repeated use of the inventive chopsticks with fingers engaged within loops 40, 42, and 44 trains proper chopsticks holding and helps to assure proper subsequent use and handling of conventional chopsticks. During chopsticks usage training, a novice chopsticks user may become proficient in the proper placement of their index finger 54 upon the upper side 8 of chopstick 2 at an early phase of training. The inventive chopsticks advantageously allow the user to simply omit the elastic loop 40 during ongoing training. Proficiency in placement of the user's ring finger 58 beneath the lower chopstick 20 is often achieved at a latest phase of training. Accordingly, during the user's final training sessions, the user may utilize only band 44 about finger 58, omitting both bands 40 and 42.

While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may make modifications to the structure, arrangement, portions, and components of the invention without departing from those principles. Accordingly, it is intended that the description and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense, and that the invention be given a scope commensurate with the appended claims. 

The invention hereby claimed is:
 1. Training chopsticks comprising: (a) an upper chopstick having a forward end, a rearward end, an upper side, a lower side, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side; (b) a lower chopstick having a forward end, a rearward end, an upper side, a lower side, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side; (c) a first finger loop extending upwardly from the upper chopstick; (d) a second finger loop extending downwardly from the upper chopstick; (e) a third finger loop extending downwardly from the lower chopstick; (f) first mounting means attaching the first finger loop to the upper chopstick; (g) second mounting means attaching the second finger loop to the upper chopstick, the second mounting means positioning the second finger loop forwardly from the first finger loop; and (h) third mounting means attaching the third finger loop to the lower chopstick.
 2. The training chopsticks of claim 1 wherein each mounting means among the first, second, and third mounting means comprises a protuberance and slot combination.
 3. The training chopsticks of claim 2 wherein the slot of the first mounting means' protuberance and slot combination opens downwardly.
 4. The training chopsticks of claim 3 wherein each slot among the second and third mounting means' protuberance and slot combinations opens upwardly.
 5. The training chopsticks of claim 4 further comprising a plurality of second slots, each slot among the plurality of second slots extending downwardly into and opening upwardly at the protuberance of the third mounting means' protuberance and slot combination.
 6. The training chopsticks of claim 4 wherein the slot of the first mounting means' protuberance and slot combination has lateral and oppositely lateral ends, the lateral end of said slot being positioned forwardly from said slot's oppositely lateral end.
 7. The training chopsticks of claim 6 wherein the slot of the third mounting means' protuberance and slot combination has lateral and oppositely lateral ends, the lateral end of said slot being positioned forwardly from said slot's oppositely lateral end.
 8. The training chopsticks of claim 2 wherein each loop among the first, second, and third finger loops comprises an elastic band.
 9. The training chopsticks of claim 8 wherein each slot among the first, second, and third protuberance and slot combinations' slots comprises a “C” channel having a throat, each “C” channel's throat being fitted for releasably retaining one of the elastic bands.
 10. The training chopsticks of claim 1 wherein each mounting means among the first, second, and third mounting means comprises a pair of hooks.
 11. The training chopsticks of claim 10 wherein the first mounting means' hooks extend downwardly from the upper chopstick's lower side.
 12. The training chopsticks of claim 11 wherein the second and third mounting means' hooks respectively extend upwardly from the upper chopstick's upper side and lower chopstick's upper side. 